Asbestos testing

Asbestos causes lung disease. Do you know if your home has it? How can you be certain? If I am going to do any major work on a home that is likely to contain asbestos, I have it tested. If the sample is negative, the job is then cheaper, if it is positive, I know that I have to take particular care - simple!

What’s wrong here?

Hmmm... If you have been following this blog for a while, you will realise that I am continually harping on about compliance and compliance certificates. The following picture clearly shows why. On the other side of the black panel are all of the circuit protection. Circuit breakers, fuses and main switches. The person who installed … Continue reading What’s wrong here?

Dangerous switchboard

I viewed a unit in Eastwood (in northern Sydney) today to provide advice on an electrical situation; during my inspection I found a switchboard that had recently had a fire. The switchboard had been badly repaired, and the repair work was non-compliant and dangerous. This exposed the tenant to serious safety hazards. I was significantly concerned by what I saw, so much so that I consulted the senior inspectors at Ausgrid for advice.

Cheaper or just more risky – part 2

I was challenged by a friend this morning, who didn't agree with the main point of my argument presented in: "cheaper is ok right" The reason he challenged me was that, in his mind the amount of money that someone is paid, doesn't determine whether the job is a good job, or a bad job. He … Continue reading Cheaper or just more risky – part 2